This is my first Avatar fic, but definitely not my first writing work. I hope everyone stays in character and I hope you enjoy!
Zutara semi-AU OOCness on Ozai's part.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or anything related to it. My humble works are my own.
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Water. Earth. Fire. Air. My grandmother used to tell me stories about the old days, a time of peace when the Avatar kept balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads. But that all changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar mastered all four elements. Only he could stop the ruthless firebenders. But when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years have passed and the Fire Nation is nearing victory in the war. Two years ago, my father and the men of my tribe journeyed to the Earth Kingdom to help fight against the Fire Nation, leaving me and my brother to look after our tribe. Some people believe that the Avatar was never reborn into the Air Nomads and that the cycle is broken, but I haven't lost hope. I still believe that somehow the Avatar will return to save the world.
But that was all a long time ago. Things change. People change.
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Blood. All around me. I closed my eyes but the image was embedded in my memory. Smoke, it smelled like smoke and death and a hundred years of pain. I blindly reach out beside me until I come in contact with a warm hand. It squeezes mine.
"You don't have to do this." Haru, my first and only love whispers gently. He pulls me close for comfort.
"Yes," My voice carries. It is firm and authoritative, just like a true ruler's should be. "I do."
There are bodies everywhere. Some move, others do not. Some already have insects feasting on their flesh. I try to choke back the bile that threatens to rise. I cling onto Haru like he is my lifeline.
Behind me the royal guards are in a respectful silence. They move like ghosts, gathering the wounded and preparing graves for the dead. The sun is setting, and across the sky the moon carefully rises. I can already feel my powers increasing. I reach for my canteen of water and unscrew the top. Water, cool and alive, floats out under my volition and surrounds my hand making a glove.
I kneel beside the nearest body. It is a man, no older than 35, with an arrow protruding from his chest. It just barely missed any vital points. He is lucky to be alive. I whisper that to him as my hand surrounds the arrow, and with one quick jerk, yanks it out. His soft groans turn into hellish shrieks of pain, but my gloved hand is already covering the bleeding wound and healing the flesh.
Soon he makes no noise at all. His eyelids flutter and reveal eyes as blue as crystals. Eyes that are nearly identical to my own.
I let out a low shaky breath I didn't realize I was holding. One down, many more to go.
This is my life.
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By the time I return to the crystal palace I am covered in blood. My once tidy hair is a frazzled mess. I no longer glide across the snow; I limp using Haru as my guide.
He like other earth benders is uncomfortable being surrounded by all the snow, but he sacrifices his comfort for me which only makes me love him more. I lean into him, inhaling his scent. He smells of warmth, comfort, and a lifetime full of quiet love.
My brother Prince Sokka rushes forward to greet me. Unlike myself, he is not a waterbender; therefore he does not inherit our throne. By chance he fell in love with a princess from the northern tribe. That is whose palace I am at today. They are both under my jurisdiction but I love them dearly.
Despite my weariness I smile warmly for the loving couple as they embrace me.
"My lady," Yue, my brother's love, bows after releasing me "you are covered in blood. Come, the maids have prepared a bath for you and your fiancé."
She too has the trademark blue eyes of the water kingdom, but her hair unlike everyone else's is white. When she was a child, it was believed that she would die. She was a sickly baby and therefore did not have long to live. However her father, the good man that he is, prayed earnestly to the moon spirit that it would save his child's life. Because the moon is merciful, it touched the child and she lived. Her hair turned white because she has a little of the moon spirit's life within her.
She is considered blessed. The moon is our guiding light. The ocean is our teacher. When both combine we are at our most powerful.
I follow my white-haired soon to be sister-in-law through the near empty streets of the city, towards the palace. The city is carved from ice and snow. Some say the original waterbenders; the ocean and the moon built it.
There has never been much joy and laughter in this city, or any place in the world for that matter. The war has scarred us all. Everyone has lost someone important to me. Yue lost her original fiancé, Haru lost his Father, and Sokka and I lost our mother.
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The bath was refreshing but had to be taken quickly before the water froze over. Still I enjoyed the lingering moments in the large crystal tub, waterbending bubbles and creating a mini-fountain on the water's surface.
I have no time for fun and games though. There is much work to be done.
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When there was peace, the Water Tribes used to be just that… separate tribes that communed regularly but kept to their sides of the world. Now the Fire Nation has pushed us together for a common cause. We stopped being tribes and became a kingdom of our own. My Father, Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribes, became something of a king making me crown princess.
The people look to us for strength and for hope. I do all I can to offer both to the people I would gladly give my life for, but sometimes all I have is not enough.
Father returned home that evening. He stormed past Sokka, Yue, and I. They were watching as I practiced my water bending. I am now a master and ready to protect my people.
"What's wrong with him?" Sokka stage-whispers, his eyes wide "I've never seen him look so angry before."
I shrug. Yue leans her head against his shoulder in a loving gesture. "I'm sure he's just tired. It is a long trip from the Earth Kingdom to here."
I don't believe her. There was something fiercely determined in his stride. He returns, his usually jovial face set into a frown. "The Earth Kingdom City of Omashu has fallen." He announces.
I gasp sharply. My vision swirls. No. Not Omashu. "What of King Bumi?"
"That's the hard part, he gave up."
"What?" Sokka screeches, nearly falling off his ice bench. "Impossible! King Bumi wouldn't give in to the Fire Nation!"
Father nods his head, his face so grim it frightens me. "That's what we thought, but his general said it is true."
"The general still lives?" I ask.
"Yes, along with many of the citizens of the city. They have taken to the hidden tunnels and have formed an underground resistance."
I sigh in relief. There is still hope then. The full moon shines against my father's brown locks. Sokka's hair is the same; only he has shaved it on all sides save the top which he pulled into a warrior's wolf tail. He looks a lot like father, especially when he is silent.
"Now what?" my solemn voice breaks the silence. I meet Yue's mournful gaze. She clings to my brother more than ever now.
"The moon still shines." Father says gently. It is an old Water Tribe saying which means 'there is still hope.' I have lived by that saying every day of my life and it still holds true. I nod my head in agreement and out of the corner of my eyes see Sokka do the same.
"Are the men safe?" Yue's voice is soft in the quiet that follows. She is very fragile in her beauty, and her kind heart makes her only more beautiful.
Father seats himself on the ground, folding his legs "Yes, we escaped with minimal injuries. We've called for all our warriors to regroup here." he turns to me "Your Haru has left for the Earth Kingdom."
"What?" my voice cracks like a whip "He LEFT?" I stand up abruptly. "He left and he didn't tell me!" I feel the panic rising.
Father eyes me disapprovingly "Katara you must understand how difficult this is for him. He told me to tell you that he loves you and will see you soon." He tugs my arm so I am sitting "His loyalty to his people is strong. You cannot ask him to stay for your comfort."
He is right, of course. Father is always right. That is why, despite him being a non-bender, he is ruler of the united tribes. He is wise, shrewd, and everything we need in a ruler.
Which is why he didn't panic when a young guard rushes into the room screaming "THE FIRE NATION IS AT OUR DOOR!"
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I do not know how this has happened, but I am sitting in the council room between Sokka and my Father and across from us are three Fire Nation representatives one of which was Fire Lord Ozai himself.
The Fire Lord looked uncomfortable, and many times used firebending to heat up his body from the icy chill of our city. Father, on the other hand, was perfectly calm. The only sign of discomfort from him was the sharp look in his eyes. He was monitoring the firebender's every moves, ready to attack if necessary.
His eyes are a deep amber, golden like a candle's flame. The eyes are signature of the FireBenders. They are the very eyes I have learned to fear and hate. This is the man whose death would bring great joy to my people. Here he sits, in one of our most sacred halls, staring at us with contempt in his eyes.
Sokka was fidgeting and Yue held his hand tight. The entire Water Council was there in the vast circular chamber. Only a thin mat separated our bodies from the ice floor. Each mat was set around the chamber in an even circle so there was even eye contact all across. Above us the moonlight beamed through the thin ceiling, letting in a gentle light to guide our evening.
More noticeable than all these was the silence. If I tried hard enough I was sure I could hear a catbird shriek from the distant Earth Kingdom.
Father spoke first. "Fire Lord Ozai, to what, praytell, do we owe this great honor?" no one missed the mockery in his voice, or the way his fist clenched tightly around the hem of his tunic.
"I don't know," The Fire Lord sneers back "Why don't you tell me? After all, you're the one who invited me here."
Shocked gasps fill the room one of them is mine. I turn to Father hoping that this isn't true. His face is hard he reveals nothing. I work hard to compose my face until it is the same. If he can be a ruler at this time then so can I.
"Impossible!" An older Council member exclaims.
"He's lying! He's Lying!"
"SILENCE!" Father roars. The room falls quiet. He slowly turns his head, making eye contact with each person in the room. He dares them to defy him and they all turn away. Satisfied, his hard gaze returns to the smug Fire Lord seated across the room.
"It is true." He says quietly "I invited the enemy into the heart of our prize city."
"Why?" Sokka whispers, he sounds betrayed.
"Because I wish to call a truce."
Fire Lord Ozai smirks. His two companions share similar facial expressions, each one conveying their doubt in the Water People's strength. I want to use my water whip to knock the smug smirks off their faces. I want to show them how powerful us water people really are, but that is not my place.
I feel the water current flow beneath me. It gives me comfort. If Father's peace meeting turns into a brawl, it will be one that I definitely participate in.
"Why on earth would I want to make a truce with you pathetic water peasants?" Ozai sneers. "The Fire Nation nears victory every day. It is only a matter of time before you come crawling to me, begging for mercy."
Yue hisses. Sokka reaches for his trusty boomerang. The water beneath me flows a little more violently. The Council members shout in outrage. Father sits still.
The noise dies as Father opens his mouth to speak "There is one who can still defeat you, in fact his purpose is to bring balance and I'm sure the fall of the Fire Nation is included in his schedule."
The Fire Lord's eyes widen. I revel in his moment of weakness.
"I'm sure you know who I'm talking about." Father continues it's his turn to smirk now "The Avatar."
More shocked gasps ensue. My heart skips a beat. The Avatar? The cycle has continued at last! There is hope for our people! I am filled with such joy I feel as though I could burst. I meet Yue's eyes and see similar joy in her eyes. We share giddy grins. Finally, the dark days are ending.
The Fire Lord kills that elation in two sentences. "Avatar Roku, a firebender, was the last Avatar. The next one would be an airbender and we already killed all the airbenders."
"How confident you Fire Nation people are." Father says.
Ozai's golden eyes narrow "How am I sure you are not bluffing?"
"You're not." Father replies glibly. He is alive with an almost nervous energy that is contagious. I fight to hold flighty giggle. "You will be very sorry, however, when we release the Avatar on your city on the eve of what would be your greatest triumph."
"You honestly believe one person can defeat the mighty Fire Nation?" Ozai's voice is full of confidence and pride. He makes me feel insecure.
Father shrugs slowly, as if he is conversing with a child and not his greatest foe. "He is the Avatar. Master of all four elements."
"No Fire Nation warrior would teach him Firebending!" Ozai yells.
"I'm sure a captured warrior would consent under extreme duress." Father says slowly and patiently. He strokes his small beard with a thoughtful expression designed to madden the easily angered Fire Lord. It is working. I can tell.
"You dare to threaten me?"
Father's face turns into a mask of innocence "No of course not! I am just laying all my cards before you."
The Fire Lord retreats back into himself. His eyes are full of bored curiosity. "What will you have in exchange for this… truce?" He spits out the word 'truce' as if uttering it causes him great pain.
"Nothing." Father says simply, looking outraged that the Fire Lord would even suggest more. "I want nothing but peace. No more attacking my people, and we will not attack you with and without the Avatar's power. We will be allowed free passage wherever granted, and your people will also be granted free passage in return. I want an end to this war."
Ozai does something not unexpected. He throws back his head full of long dark hair and laughs loudly and mockingly. His laughter echoes across the roof of the room and fills the room. It is dark and chilling. I shudder in fear.
"You want me…" he shakes his head, still laughing, "To end the war? Just like that?"
"You have two options," Father tells him peacefully "The war either ends in peace, or the complete and utter destruction of your household."
Ozai glares at him, and in that glare is over a hundred years of hatred and war. Father meets it with his own icy blue gaze.
"The Avatar has done it before and I'm sure he can do it again." Father's voice is soft as a whisper, but carries with more power than Ozai's mocking laughter ever had.
The person to the right of the Fire Lord mutters something in his ear. Whatever it was, it upset him. He seemed begrudging when he turned back to Father and said "Fine. I will need a show of faith on your part. Our people will not believe in this peace unless we give them a reason to."
"Won't your submission be show enough?" Sokka blurts out. He claps a hand over his mouth but the words are already out. I give him a disapproving glare.
Ozai, to my surprise, shakes his head "No. I lost my nephew two days ago to your people. A few years ago it was my wife, and even longer ago my only sister." There is a hidden sorrow in his voice "They will think I have a hidden motive and therefore not end this."
"How are we sure you don't?" Someone asks.
"You invited me here." Ozai sneers. He sits silent for a moment. The moonlight is fading. "Show me the Avatar."
Father smiles, almost kindly "No."
"No?"
"No." He repeats "You will hunt him down if I show him to you. He must remain secret."
The Fire Lord sits silent for a moment before laughing again. "You are right," he tells Father, his voice disdainful once more "I would."
"This meeting is adjourned." Father says, rising to his feet.
"Not yet!" The Firebender calls out "I need your show of faith."
Father extends his hands in a questioning gesture. "What can I give you? My sword? My word? I have no prized possessions."
Ozai's eyes are sharp. He rises to his feet more fluidly than Father does. "Yes you do." He defies Father. I rise to my feet as well, ready to defend if necessary. Those cruel, flaming eyes turned to me and seemed to light up. His lips turned into a slow smile. "Your daughter, I will take your daughter and nothing else."
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End Chapter
Moving right along. I hope this chapter wasn't too boring or too OOC. I'm not sure how real life negotiations take so I just hope this seemed to be fluid and natural. Katara doesn't have much personality in this chapter mainly because she's exhausted. You'll see more later.
Please review otherwise I won't know whether to continue or not!